After returning from Europe, Chantel Horvat has made an immediate impact in the NBL1. She opens up on her time in the US college system to coming home as she eyes off the WNBA.
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“It means so much to me – I’ve been away for a really long time, and it feels so good to be back playing on the court I grew up playing on with the Supercats,” said Horvat.
The years away from Geelong have included five years at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as well as a season playing in Poland and in the EuroCup, plus a stint in a training camp with WNBA team Los Angeles Sparks.
“That was amazing – it was such an incredible experience,” Horvat said of her time with the LA Sparks.
“I felt like the kid off Like Mike – I’m idolising all these players, so getting to train with them was incredibly rewarding.”
Plagued with injury throughout her UCLA college career, Horvat took her fifth year of eligibility to “finish on a high”, but additional injury struggles and the entire team contracting Covid in the middle of the season derailed Horvat’s plans.
“There were a lot of things that happened that were out of my control, so I thought I would have to let go of some of those goals I was chasing,” she said.
“To be rewarded with a call up (to the LA Sparks training camp) after what I considered to not be my best year performance wise was such a blessing and a privilege.”
Chantel Horvat is relishing the opportunity to be back on home soil. Photo: Tans Photography.
Although ultimately not making the LA Sparks roster, Horvat says she gained a lot just from being in the environment.
“I just had such a great experience with them, playing and learning from the coaching staff and players, and it was also really motivating for me to know that it (WNBA) is within reach,” she said.
While playing in the WNBA is still a goal in the future, Horvat also has her eyes set on cracking an Opals roster and representing Australia in the senior women’s team.
“It’s still a big dream of mine to one day represent Australia and play for the Opals. That’s always been a dream and a goal so hopefully that can come to fruition one day if I keep working hard and playing well,” she said
Playing well she is, with Horvat having an immediate impact on the Geelong United Supercats team since joining in Round 5, averaging 19.25 points and 11.25 rebounds in four games.
Currently on a four-game winning streak and sitting fifth on the NBL1 South ladder, the team will host the Nunawading Spectres this Saturday night at the Geelong Arena, tipping off at 5pm.
ROUND 7 GAME DETAILS
Saturday, May 20 – Geelong United Supercats vs. Nunawading Spectres at Geelong Arena.
Women tip off 5pm, men tip off 7pm.
Tickets available at geelongunitedbasketball.com.au